Bobbin stripper



June 23, 1964 L. W. HAYES, SR

BOBBIN STRIPPER Filed Feb. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LOUIE W.HAYES, SR.

ATTORN June 23, 1964 w. HAYES, SR 3,137,913

BOBBIN STRIPPER Filed Feb. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY 5,59 (M66. MM

ATTORN Y LOUIE W- HAYES, SR.

United States Patent O M corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 15, 1962,Ser. No. 173,558 7 Claims. (Cl. 2819) This invention relates to'bobbinstrippers and more particularly to apparatus for cleaning waste yarnfrom a bobbin.

In the manufacture of chemical fibers and in other textile operations aconsiderable amount of yarn is wound onto bobbins and for variousreasons never used, the bobbins generally being only partially filled.Before these bobbins can again be used this waste yarn must be removed.In the past it has been a common practice to remove the yarn manually,the operator running a sharp knife longitudinally along the bobbin tocut the yarn so that it will fall from the bobbin. This procedure hasseveral disadvantages. One of the disadvantages of this method is thatit is extremely slow. Furthermore, the knife used for severing the yarnis likely to nick or scratch the surface of the bobbin, thereby causingthe bobbin to damage the yarn subsequently wound thereon. With thisproblem in mind, one of the objects of this invention is to provide anew and improved bobbin stripping apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forautomatically and rapidly severing waste yarn from a bobbin.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bobbin stripperwherein bobbins are automatically fed into a work position whereupon acutter is moved longitudinally along the bobbin to sever the yarntherefrom.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a bobbin stripperhaving a guide which engages and moves along the surface of a bobbin tospace a yarn cutter from the bobbin.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a bobbin stripperwherein the operation of the various elements thereof is automatic.

One embodiment of the present invention contemplates a bobbin stripperhaving a feed chute leading to an indexed bobbin carrier. The bobbincarrier moves the bobbin into an operating position, whereupon arotating cutter is moved translationally or longitudinally along thebobbin to sever the yarn thereon. A saddle or guide moves along thebobbin with the cutter to keep the cutter from touching or damaging thebobbin.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when the followingdetailed description is read in conjunction with the appended drawings,in which FIGURE 1 is a front view of an apparatus illustrating oneembodiment of the invention and showing the general arrangement of thevarious elements of the apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the indexing mechanism which is showndiagrammatically in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing thefeed and discharge chutes;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged front view of the cutter showing theconstruction of the saddle which supports the cutter on the bobbin; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the cutter showing the manner in whichit is positioned relative to the saddle.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a base 11 is shown supporting aframe 12 on which are secured a pair of spaced, circular discs or plates13. A shaft 18 rotatably mounted on the frame 12 carries abobbincarrying reel 19 which includes a pair of fiat, circular 3,137,913Patented June 23, 1964 end plates 20 and a tublular hub 21. The hub 15is secured to the end plates 20, while the end plates are secured to theshaft 18 to form a unitary bobbin supporting and indexing reel 19.

The end plates 20 are provided with arcuate recesses 24 which receivespin bobbins 25 c well known type and index these bobbins to a workstation where the yarn is removed. An indexing mechanism 26 (shown onlydiagrammatically in FIGURE 1 but in detail in FIGURE 2) is connected tothe shaft 18 for indexing the reel. The indexing mechanism includes awheel 21 having a'plurality of notches or recesses 22 having theconfiguration shown in FIGURE 2 and a pair of levers 23 pivotallymounted on the shaft 18 on opposite sides of the wheel 21. The levers 23are secured together at their outer ends so that they move together. Anair cylinder 27 secured to the frame 12 has its piston rod connected tothe levers 23 for oscillating these levers, the air cylinder 27 havingan advance air connection or line 32 and a retract air connection orline 33. The levers 23 carry a pawl 28 having on the end thereof aroller 31 which enters one of the recesses 22 to move the wheel 21 andthe reel 19 when the levers 23 are moved clockwise (FIGURE 2). It canthus be seen that oscillation of the levers 23 by the air cylinder 27will move the wheel 21 to index the reel 19 to sequentially position thebobbins at the work position.

A bobbin supply chute 29 (FIGURE 3) mounted on the frame 12 ispositioned to feed the bobbins 25 one at a time into the recesses 24 inthe reel 19 as the reel is indexed, the chute 29 being inclined so thatthe bobbins roll into the recesses 24.

An inclined discharge chute 30 mounted on the frame 12 receives thebobbins 25 from the reel 19 after the yarn has been removed. Thedischarge chute is so positioned that the stripped bobbins roll out ofthe reel and down the chute 30 when the reel reaches a predeterminedposition.

A pair of air cylinders 34 and 35 (FIGURE 1) mounted on the frame 12 areconnected to plungers 36 and 37 slidably mounted in collars 40 and 41secured in recesses in the circular plates 13. The plungers 36 and 37have tapered ends adapted to enter the ends of the uppermost bobbin 25on the reel 19 and hold this bobbin rigidly for the yarn strippingoperation.

The cylinders 34 and 35 are connected to a source of compressed airthrough advance air lines or tubes 42 and 43 retract air lines 45 and46. When compressed air is admitted to the advance air lines 42 and 43the plungers 36 and 37 are moved toward each other to enter the ends ofand grip a bobbin 25 in the work position. When air is admitted to theretract lines 45 and 46 the plungers 36 and 37 are withdrawn away fromeach other to free the bobbin 25 in the work position.

A rotating circular cutter 50 having a serrated or saw-like edge is usedto sever the waste yarn 51 from the bobbin 25. The cutter or blade 50 isrotatably mounted on a bracket 52 which is slidably mounted on a block53 attached to a shaft 54, the upper end of the bracket 52 beingslidably positioned in the lower end of the block 53. The cutter isdriven by a motor 58 carried by the block 53 and acting through a belt59 passing over a pulley 60, the pulley 60 being secured to a shaft 64on which the cutter 50 is secured.

The bracket 52 has secured to its lower end a guide or saddle 66 whichrides along the bobbin 25 to keep the cutter 50 out of contact with thebobbin. The cutter 50 is positioned very close to the bobbin 25 to severall of the waste yarn 51, yet does not actually touch the bobbin becauseof the action of the cutter guide 66. A pair of spring-like guards 65extend from the saddle 66 upward to the upper end of the bracket 52 toprevent loose yarn from tangling around the cutter.

The shaft 54 is slidably mounted in collars 67 mounted on the frame 12so that the cutter 54) can be moved longitudinally along the length ofthe bobbin 25, the starting position of the cutter 50 being that shownin FIGURE 1. An air cylinder 70 has its piston (not shown) connected tothe shaft 54 for moving this shaft to carry the cutter along the bobbin25, the cylinder 70 having an advance air connection or line 72 and aretract air connection or line 73. Since the motor 58 drives the cutter50 continuously, movement of the cutter past the bobbin 25 severs thewaste yarn 51 therefrom. A guard 71 attached to the frame 12 extendsover the hub 15 of the reel 19 to keep the waste yarn off the reel.

The operation of the device disclosed herein is automatic andcontinuous. At the end of the indexing stroke of the cylinder 27, thelevers 23 engage and close a switch 75 (FIGURE 2) to connect a source(not shown) of compressed air to the advance air lines 42 and 43 of theair cylinders 34 and 35 to advance the plungcrs 36 and 37 and to theadvance air line 72 of the air cylinder 70 to move the cutter 50 pastthe bobbin 25.

Since the plungers 36 and 37 do not move as far as the cutter 50, theplungers enter the ends of and grip the bobbin before it is reached bythe cutter. The cutter 50 moves past the bobbin 25 and strips the wasteyarn 51 therefrom. At the end of its stroke the block 53 carrying thecutter 50 engages and closes a switch 76 (FIGURE 1). Closure of theswitch 76 connects the air source to the retract air connections 33, 45,46 and 73 of the cylinders 27, 34, and 70, respectively. This causes thecylinders to Withdraw the levers 23, the plungers 36 and 37 and thecutter 50.

The cutter 50, having further to travel, reaches the end of its retractstroke after the plungers 36 and 37 and the levers 23 are fullyretracted. When the block 53 reaches the end of its retract stroke itengages and closes a switch 77 to connect the air source (not shown) tothe advance air connection of the indexing cylinder 27, whereupon thecylinder 27 moves the levers 23 clockwise (FIGURE 2) to index the reel19 and thereby position another bobbin in work position. At thecompletion of the indexing operation the levers 23 again close theswitch 75 and the above-described sequence of operations is repeated. Itcan be seen from this that the apparatus operates automatically andcontinuously.

It is to be understood that the embodiment disclosed herein may bemodified or altered and that numerous other embodiments may becontemplated which will fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base,indexing and support means on the base for sequentially positioningbobbins in a stationary work position, a rotary cutter mounted above thebase for movement longitudinally along a bobbin maintained in said workposition, said cutter being mounted for translational movement in adirection radial to the bobbin, and an element positioned adjacent tothe cutter for engaging the bobbin and spacing said cutter from saidbobbin.

2. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base,a reel mounted on the base for supporting a bobbin, means attached tothe reel for indexing said reel to position the bobbin in a workposition, a shaft mounted on the frame for sliding movement in adirection parallel to the axis of the bobbin, a rotary cutter carried bythe shaft and mounted on said shaft for translational movement in adirection radial to the bobbin, a pair of elements positioned onopposite sides of the cutter for engaging the bobbin and spacing saidcutter from the bobbin in said work position, means on the shaft forrotating the cutter, and means for moving the shaft to move the cutterpast the bobbin.

3. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base,a reel mounted on the base for supporting a bobbin, an indexingmechanism connected to the reel for moving said reel to position thebobbin at a work position, a pair of plungers positioned at oppositeends of the bobbin in said work position, said plungers having taperedends adapted to enter and hold said bobbin, means for actuating theplungers, a shaft positioned above the work position and mounted forsliding movement in a direction parallel to the axis of said bobbin, arotary yarn cutter mounted on the shaft for translational movement in adirection radial to said bobbin, means carried by the shaft for rotatingthe cutter, and a pair of elements positioned on opposite ends of thecutter for engaging the bobbin and spacing said cutter radially fromsaid bobbin.

4. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base,means on the base for supporting a bobbin, a shaft mounted above thebobbin for sliding movement in a direction parallel to the axis of thebobbin, a cutter mounted on the shaft for translational movement in adirection radial to said bobbin, means for moving the shaft to traversethe cutter longitudinally along the bobbin, and a pair of elementsconnected to the cutter and positioned on opposite sides thereof forengaging the bobbin and spacing said cutter from the surface of saidbobbin to prevent damage thereto.

5. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base,a reel mounted on the base and having therein a plurality of recessesfor holding bobbins, means for indexing the reel to sequentiallyposition the bobbins in a work position, a shaft mounted above the Workposition for sliding movement in a direction parallel to the bobbin insaid work position, a block carried by the shaft, a rotary cuttermovably mounted on the block for translational movement radially towardand away from the bobbin, means carried by the shaft for rotating thecutter, a pair of elements connected to the cutter and positioned onopposite sides thereof for engaging the bobbin and spacing the cutterfrom the surface of the bobbin to prevent damage thereto, and means foractuating the shaft to move the cutter longitudinally along the bobbinin said work position, said shaft actuating means and said reel indexingmeans being operated in timed relationship.

6. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base,a reel mounted on the base and having a plurality of recesses forreceiving and holding bobbins having waste yarn thereon, means connectedto the reel for indexing said reel to sequentially position the bobbinsin a work position, a supply chute positioned adjacent to the reel forfeeding bobbins into the recesses in said reel, a discharge chutepositioned adjacent to the reel for receiving bobbins therefrom, a shaftmounted above the reel for sliding movement in a direction parallel tothe axis of a bobbin in said work position, a block attached to theshaft, a rotary cutter movably mounted on the block for translationalmovement radially toward and away from the bobbin, a pair of elementsconnected to the cutter and positioned on opposite sides thereof forengaging the bobbin to space the cutter from said bobbin to preventdamage thereto, means carried by the shaft for rotating the cutter tosever the waste yarn on the bobbins, and means for moving the shaft tomove the cutter past the bobbin in said work position.

7. A bobbin stripper for removing yarn from a bobbin, comprising a base;a reel rotatably mounted on the base and having therein a plurality ofrecesses for receiving and holding bobbins having waste yarn thereon; anindexing mechanism connected to the reel for indexing the reel tosequentially position the bobbin in a. work position; a supply chutepositioned on one side of the reel for feeding bobbins into the recessesin the reel; a discharge chute positioned on the other side of the reelfor carrying the bobbins from the reel; a pair of plungers mounted onopposite ends of the work position and having tapered ends for enteringthe ends of the bobbin in work position to hold said bobbin; means onthe base for actuating the plungers; a shaft mounted above the reel forsliding movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the bobbin insaid work position; a block carried by the shaft; a rotary cuttermovably mounted on the block for translational movement radially towardand away from the bobbin; a pair of elements connected to the cutter andpositioned on opposite sides thereof for engaging the bobbin in workposition and spacing said cutter from said bobbin to prevent damagethereto; means on the shaft for rotating the cutter, a pair of guardmembers positioned on opposite sides of the cutter for deflectingsevered yarn away from said cutter; means for moving the shaft to movethe cutter past the bobbin; and means on the base for actuating theindexing mechanism, the plunger actuating means and the shaft movingmeans in timed sequence.

Walsh Sept. 8, 1914 Whitaker Oct. 14, 1952

1. A BOBBIN STRIPPER FOR REMOVING YARN FROM A BOBBIN, COMPRISING A BASE,INDEXING AND SUPPORT MEANS ON THE BASE FOR SEQUENTIALLY POSITIONINGBOBBINS IN A STATIONARY WORK POSITION, A ROTARY CUTTER MOUNTED ABOVE THEBASE FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY ALONG A BOBBIN MAINTAINED IN SAID WORKPOSITION, SAID CUTTER BEING MOUNTED FOR TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT IN ADIRECTION RADIAL TO THE BOBBIN, AND AN ELEMENT POSITIONED ADJACENT TOTHE CUTTER FOR ENGAGING THE BOBBIN AND SPACING SAID CUTTER FROM SAIDBOBBIN.